Mt Elbrus climb and trekking holiday, Russia
| country: | Russia |
| trip type: | High altitude trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 15 Aug, 16 Aug |
| price: | From 890 - 1200 (8-13 days) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation, all meals, Russian visa support documents, all permits and official registration, English speaking guide, part-portered. Price depends on length of trip, see itineraries below |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Elbrus, 5642m, the highest mountain in Europe and one of the world's highest mountains, has a permanent ice cap and glaciers.
Elbrus attracts many visitors every year; especially those wishing to complete ascents of the 7 Summits. Its location is in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, and lies just north of the Caucacus Range. The area has a fascinating culture, flora and fauna further add to this being such a popular destination. It is tourism that not only keeps the economy of the area going but also helps preserve the magnificent environment. With 18 years of experience in the Elbrus area we have one of the best teams of guides, porters and medical support available.
We will help you at all stages to arrange a memorable trip! Join one of our 8, 9 or 13 day scheduled trips or arrange a private trip. St Petersburg and Moscow extensions are also available. Most first time visitors to Caucasus are keen to ascend Mount Elbrus, 5642m, Europe's highest mountain. Elbrus lies just north of the main Caucasus Chain - a range almost 1000 miles long with a heavily glaciated central section containing several summits rising well above 5000m. Many of the remote valleys are seldom visited except in summer by shepherds. Pine forests, alpine meadows, mineral springs, glacial rivers and periods of settled weather complete the picture.
No advanced mountaineering experience is required for these Elbrus ascent holidays, only trekking crampons are required for the gentle-angled slope; however the use of an ice-axe is essential. It is readily accessible to mountain walkers who are experienced and comfortable with trekking up glaciers in crampons.
Set itineraries: We offer 3 set itineraries for the Elbrus summit climb.
8 day trip from 890
Departures 2009: 21 June, 5 July, 19 July, 2 August, 16 August
This is the shortest programme we have for Elbrus. Primarily this is for the well-acclimatised and those wishing just to climb Elbrus.
9 day trip from 950
Departures 2009: 20 June, 4 July, 18 July, 1 August, 15 August
This itinerary is for climbers who are eager to reach the summit of Elbrus but wish to maximise their chance of a successful ascent by acclimatising on a glaciated pass in the nearby Caucasus Range.
13 day trip from 1200
Departures 2009: 14 June, 28 June, 12 July, 26 July, 9 August
This is our standard itinerary. The first week involves porter-supported trekking, camping in alpine meadows crossing high passes and the ascent of a simple glaciated summit. The final few days are devoted to the ascent of Elbrus. Ice axe and crampons are required.
See below for our 8, 9 and 13 day set itineraries.
Private trips: We can also arrange private itineraries for groups and individuals as we have a permanently manned base throughout the summer in the Baksan valley with our own administration, guides, support staff and doctor. A similar programme to the above can be run at any time of the summer for individuals or private groups. Please contact us for further information. If we do not have a group of 6+ we reserve the right to either cancel the trip and return your deposit or run the trip with a surcharge. The surcharge depends on the final number of people travelling. There is a single supplement of 100 for the hotel.
Ski-Touring: Unlike the Alps the snow in the Caucasus is virtually guaranteed, there is good powder to be found late into the season and the season is long. We use the New Jailyk Hotel, a high mountain lodge located in the high and remote upper sections of the Adyl-Su valley. Also our Baksan Valley base as described above is also used to access the Baksan ski lift and cable car system. Our scheduled trips end with an opportunity to ascend Mount Elbrus.
Technical Climbing: There are thousands of other elegant summits to be climbed and valleys to be explored. Those coming with more time or wishing to climb some of the numerous other elegant summits should consider organising the trip as a private group. Our guides are based permanently in the Baksan Valley throughout the summer months.
Elbrus attracts many visitors every year; especially those wishing to complete ascents of the 7 Summits. Its location is in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, and lies just north of the Caucacus Range. The area has a fascinating culture, flora and fauna further add to this being such a popular destination. It is tourism that not only keeps the economy of the area going but also helps preserve the magnificent environment. With 18 years of experience in the Elbrus area we have one of the best teams of guides, porters and medical support available.
We will help you at all stages to arrange a memorable trip! Join one of our 8, 9 or 13 day scheduled trips or arrange a private trip. St Petersburg and Moscow extensions are also available. Most first time visitors to Caucasus are keen to ascend Mount Elbrus, 5642m, Europe's highest mountain. Elbrus lies just north of the main Caucasus Chain - a range almost 1000 miles long with a heavily glaciated central section containing several summits rising well above 5000m. Many of the remote valleys are seldom visited except in summer by shepherds. Pine forests, alpine meadows, mineral springs, glacial rivers and periods of settled weather complete the picture.
No advanced mountaineering experience is required for these Elbrus ascent holidays, only trekking crampons are required for the gentle-angled slope; however the use of an ice-axe is essential. It is readily accessible to mountain walkers who are experienced and comfortable with trekking up glaciers in crampons.
our trips
Set itineraries: We offer 3 set itineraries for the Elbrus summit climb. 8 day trip from 890
Departures 2009: 21 June, 5 July, 19 July, 2 August, 16 August
This is the shortest programme we have for Elbrus. Primarily this is for the well-acclimatised and those wishing just to climb Elbrus.
9 day trip from 950
Departures 2009: 20 June, 4 July, 18 July, 1 August, 15 August
This itinerary is for climbers who are eager to reach the summit of Elbrus but wish to maximise their chance of a successful ascent by acclimatising on a glaciated pass in the nearby Caucasus Range.
13 day trip from 1200
Departures 2009: 14 June, 28 June, 12 July, 26 July, 9 August
This is our standard itinerary. The first week involves porter-supported trekking, camping in alpine meadows crossing high passes and the ascent of a simple glaciated summit. The final few days are devoted to the ascent of Elbrus. Ice axe and crampons are required.
See below for our 8, 9 and 13 day set itineraries.
Private trips: We can also arrange private itineraries for groups and individuals as we have a permanently manned base throughout the summer in the Baksan valley with our own administration, guides, support staff and doctor. A similar programme to the above can be run at any time of the summer for individuals or private groups. Please contact us for further information. If we do not have a group of 6+ we reserve the right to either cancel the trip and return your deposit or run the trip with a surcharge. The surcharge depends on the final number of people travelling. There is a single supplement of 100 for the hotel.
Ski-Touring: Unlike the Alps the snow in the Caucasus is virtually guaranteed, there is good powder to be found late into the season and the season is long. We use the New Jailyk Hotel, a high mountain lodge located in the high and remote upper sections of the Adyl-Su valley. Also our Baksan Valley base as described above is also used to access the Baksan ski lift and cable car system. Our scheduled trips end with an opportunity to ascend Mount Elbrus.
Technical Climbing: There are thousands of other elegant summits to be climbed and valleys to be explored. Those coming with more time or wishing to climb some of the numerous other elegant summits should consider organising the trip as a private group. Our guides are based permanently in the Baksan Valley throughout the summer months.
8 day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Mineralny Vody airport. Private bus transfer to our base hotel in Baksan Valley. An overnight flight from London connects with the Mineralny Vody flight, others may consider staying overnight in Moscow with an optional city tour. |
| Day 2: | Acclimatisation walk from hotel to Cheget Karabashi summit, 3404m - a magnificent viewpoint over Elbrus. |
| Day 3: | Ascend cable car system to Garabashi Huts. Possible acclimatisation walk to Pastukhova Rocks. |
| Day 4: | Attempt on Elbrus or acclimatisation walk to Pastukhova Rocks. |
| Day 5: | Attempt on Elbrus. |
| Day 6: | Attempt on Elbrus. If Elbrus is climbed on day 5 or 6 you will descend to the hotel and some valley walks will be organised |
| Day 7: | Descend to our hotel in the Baksan Valley. |
| Day 8: | Drive back to Mineralnye Vody airport. |
9 day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Mineralny Vody airport. Private bus transfer to our base hotel in Baksan Valley. An overnight flight from London connects with the Mineralny Vody flight, others may consider staying overnight in Moscow with an optional city tour. |
| Day 2: | Walk up the Adyl-su valley to the "Green Hotel", camp 2400m. |
| Day 3: | Walk up the Jankuat Glacier to the Eastern Jankuat Pass, 3600m. Walk back via the Adyl-su valley. Return to the hotel. Night in the hotel. |
| Day 4: | Ascend cable car system to Garabashi Huts. If Garabashi huts are full you may have to use the Diesel Hut or camp in its vicinity. Possible acclimatisation walk to Pastukhova Rocks. |
| Day 5: | Attempt on Elbrus or acclimatisation walk to Pastukhova Rocks. |
| Day 6: | Attempt on Elbrus. |
| Day 7: | Attempt on Elbrus. If Elbrus is climbed on day 6 or 7 you will descend to the hotel and some valley walks will be organised. |
| Day 8: | Descend to our hotel in the Baksan Valley. |
| Day 9: | Drive back to Mineralnye Vody airport. |
13 day itinerary
| Day 1: | We meet you from your flight to transfer from Mineralny Vody to our hotel in the Baksan Valley. Half board basis. |
| Day 2: | Walk up Adyl-su Valley, Green Hotel campsite 2600m. |
| Day 3: | Walk up Jankuat Glacier to Eastern Jankuat Pass 3600m. |
| Day 4: | Syltran Lake 3200m. |
| Day 5: | Cross Syltran Pass 3400m. Descend via Mukal Valley; walk up by the Mkiara Valley 3100m. |
| Day 6: | Irik Pass 3750m. Campsite in the Irik Valley. |
| Day 7: | Descend. Return to hotel. Free afternoon. |
| Day 8: | Cable car up Elbrus. Garabashi Huts 3800m. |
| Day 9: | Acclimatisation walk to Pastuchova Rocks 4690m. |
| Day 10: | Elbrus - West summit. Night in Garabashi or camp. |
| Day 11: | Spare day on Elbrus - second attempt could be made to summit. |
| Day 12: | Descend to the Hotel in Baksan Valley. |
| Day 13: | Return to Mineralnye Vody airport. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment
Our own staff in the field are expected to run trips in as sustainable a manner as possible. For example; not only do they insist on removing their own rubbish but they will when practicable clean up after other more selfish groups. Our aim is always to leave campsites in a better state than we have found them. Our staff ensure our clients are given clear guidance on dealing with litter, toilet issues, on prevention of water pollution, firewood usage and personal hygiene. We encourage all participants in our trips to follow our Responsible Tourism strategies as part of our Responsible Travel Policy through our pre-trip information and through our staff in the field. Community Benefit to Kabardino-Balkaria: Although the area has other resources the population suffers from poverty. Tourism is critical to the regions economy. The outbreak of the various conflicts in the Caucasus hit the republic hard. Despite the fact that the area itself is calm and trouble-free, tourism in the region has been affected. Benefit to Local Communities: Traditionally local communities are extremely poor. Your visit will indirectly help many families and provide money for the clothing, feeding and schooling of many children. It is logical to use local people to work with the tourist industry. The majority of the staff that you meet on our trips are from local communities. Working with tourists has many benefits to them - their wages are higher than those normally received in these areas and they have the opportunity to earn tips. We aim to promote good practice in the mountains and valleys to protect the environment. We provide good conditions for the staff; in particular we insist porters are not given more than 15kg loads to carry, that they eat well, are well-clothed and can sleep in comfort. You will generally find they have much more energy on the mountains than you do at the end of what seems to you as a particularly hard day. This to a large extent is related to their superb acclimatisation. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |